San Francisco, CA -- An infusion of championship caliber talent is now just a season away as head coach LaNay Larson and the Academy of Art women's basketball staff have officially inked three new athletes, Regina Camera, Zoie Sheng, and Sha'Nice Storey, during this year's early signing period. Camera is a 5-7 guard from St. Mary's High School (Stockton, CA) where she earned three consecutive state championships. Sheng, a 5-6 point guard, and Storey, a 5-9 guard, both join ART U after helping a St. Mary's Academy squad (Portland, OR) to its first Mt. Hood Conference Championship last year.

“I couldn't be more excited about this recruiting class,” Coach Larson said. “From the first time I saw them, I knew that they would be a great fit for the program we are building here at Academy of Art University. All three come from great programs and have the winning mentality that we were looking for.”

Now a senior, Regina Camera has served as a three-year team captain, earning the reputation of being a dependable combo guard capable of triggering the offense. She continues to thrive under the tutelage of 2011 MaxPreps California Girls Coach of the Year Tom Gozalves at St. Mary's High School. Camera not only guided the Rams to the aforementioned three consecutive state championships and tied the record for most three-point shots made in a NorCal Sac-Joaquin Section Championship game, but she also captured a 2010 National Championship, finishing that season ranked #1 in the country by MaxPreps. An athlete who knows only success at the highest level, Camera plans to major in Advertising at Academy of Art University.

“Regina is a proven winner who comes from one of the best high school programs in the entire country,” Coach Larson said. “She knows how to step up with the game on the line and thrives in pressure situations. She will step in right away and compete for a position because she is so prepared for this level of basketball.”

Zoie Sheng, one of two Portland, OR products set to don the ART U black and red next year, was a both a First-Team and All-League selection as a sophomore and junior at St. Mary's Academy. She also earned Honorable Mention and All-State this past year, guiding the Blues to a 24-5 record, a Mt. Hood Conference title, and fourth in the state 6A tournament.

The 5-6 point guard was able to receive consistent guidance from her father Bryon Sheng, an assistant at St. Mary's and her Oregon Reign club team coach, along with Art Rojas, her current head coach at St. Mary's. She made her presence known immediately after a Second Team All-League honor as a freshman. That year, she captured the first of two West Linn Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team selections and was part of the 2009 Candace Parker National Team that played in Japan.

A participant in numerous high-caliber tournaments (Nike Skills Academy, Brand Jordan Breakfast Club in 2010-11) and all-star games (Joyce Washington All-Star Game 2009-11), Sheng was bestowed All-Tournament honors for her play at the 2011 Lake Oswego Shootout. The senior was also voted team Most Valuable Player three years running. Sheng plans to study Multimedia Communications as an Urban Knight.

“Zoie is the pure point guard that we really focused on finding during the recruiting process,” Coach Larson said. “She was instrumental in making St. Mary's a state championship contender when she entered their program. She sees the floor extremely well, can score when needed, and is a terrific on-ball defender. Most of all, she is a great floor leader and exudes confidence. She is a great fit for this team and institution.”

Joining Sheng at Academy of Art will be St. Mary's teammate and fellow Portland, OR native Sha'Nice Storey. Storey was a Mt. Hood Conference First-Team and All-League selection as a junior. In addition, the 5-9 guard garnered State 6A All-Tournament as well as Honorable Mention and All-State Teams, averaging 14.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Along with Sheng, Storey brought St. Mary's its first league title since 1994 in addition to fourth place in the Oregon 6A state tournament. Graphic Design is the planned major for Storey when she comes to ART U after her final year at St. Mary's Academy.

“Sha'Nice is a pure shooter that can flat out score,” Coach Larson said. “She's got a quick release and can hit from long range, but also is able to take people off the dribble. Sha'Nice has a high basketball IQ and played a huge role in building the program at St. Mary's. I am excited about her potential at the college level.”

Coach Larson is looking forward to the contributions each of these athletes will make upon their graduation from high school. The trio will join Academy of Art for the 2012-13 school year.

“I feel like these three recruits are going to play a huge role in what I foresee as a team that can make some amazing things happen in the West Region and on a national level,” Coach Larson said. “They are not only great basketball players, but they are also great people who have a passion and vision for the majors that they are going into. All three bring a winning mentality that is crucial for this program.”